The FODMAP Challenge

What are FODMAPS?

Research shows that following a diet that is low in FODMAPs helps relieve symptoms of IBS. FODMAPs, stands
for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are different types of carbohydrates that act as a food source to bacteria that live in the large intestine. When they are not absorbed properly, they are fermented or not digested well.

What is The FODMAP Challenge?

We believe that everyone with IBS deserves to be able to determine their triggers. We believe no one should have to miss out on social events, feel uncomfortable in meetings or have to make urgent bathroom breaks (or any of the other frustrating occurrences that go along with many cases of IBS) because they don’t know what or how to avoid their triggers. And we believe everyone should access to health professionals who specialise in the area.

Being a 100% online program, geography, work hours, family or anything else that may stop you getting the help you need is avoided. Throughout the course, we will teach you how to manage the elimination phase, you will be taken through a series of tests to determine which FODMAPs are your triggers, whilst also being mindful of other non-FODMAP triggers of IBS and you will receive ongoing support throughout the program.

Is the FODMAP Challenge for you?

Do you experience symptoms of IBS, that impact on your quality of life ? Are you sick of feeling uncomfortable? Feeling embarrassed in meetings because you need to pass wind? Looking like you are 3 months pregnant (but you aren’t)? Or needing to rush to the closest bathroom, on a regular basis?

You may have tried various diets, or cutting out different foods to try and manage your symptoms, but still aren’t getting the results you want.

Or maybe you already know what FODMAPs are, but just aren’t sure which ones affect you.

The overall objective of The FODMAP Challenge is to determine which foods are triggers for your IBS and which ones can be safely re-introduced into your diet.

Please remember to chat to your GP to ensure there is nothing more sinister going on prior to making any dietary changes.

Why shouldn’t you just stay low FODMAP?

Research indicates that most people do not react to all the high FODMAP groups of foods. Identifying these means that we can re-introduce the groups of foods you didn’t react to, then determine how much of those you did react to you are able to tolerate. Long term, your life will be easier for the following reasons:

Most people with IBS are able to re-introduce high FODMAP foods and maintain good symptom control. This means it is easier to make informed choices when not in control of food choices, and better management of symptoms on a daily basis.

Avoidance of unnecessary restrictions and to help ensure that your diet meets your nutritional needs.

Many high FODMAP foods are also high in prebiotics; compounds which provide food for the healthy bacteria that are found in your gut. Research indicates that long term avoidance of these may affect the health of your bacteria, and your gut.

How The FODMAP Challenge works

The FODMAP Challenge runs for 12 weeks.

Week 1-4 are the elimination stage, where trigger foods will be eliminated. As part of the program, we will help you with meals, recipes and snack ideas, so you don’t feel worried there is nothing left to eat! Most people find symptoms have reduced in 2-4 weeks.

The next 8 weeks of the FODMAP Challenge are where triggers are determined:

Fructose

Lactose

Fructans

Polyols

Galacto-oligosaccharides

BONUS WEEK: because we know the reintroductory phase can be difficult, we offer an additional week to ensure this process starts as smoothly as possible, and so any questions you may have about reintroducing get answered.

You will also receive meal plans, recipe ideas, and regular, ongoing support, to make this as easy for you as possible.

The information on this site is of a general nature. It is not intended to replace the personalised care of your health professional team. Whilst we endeavour to ensure all information is up to date, nutrition is a fast changing science. Even with regular updating, some older posts may not always contain the latest information. This site provides general nutrition information, and we encourage you to have regular health professional visits. It is important to check with your GP prior to starting any elimination diet. All content on this site is original and copyright of Chloe McLeod. All rights reserved. We love your use of excerpts of posts with links back to www.fodmapchallenge.com.